A private engineering college bus hit an autorickshaw carrying students near Suththamalli intersection on Tirunelveli outskirts as the bus driver allegedly manoeuvred the bus under the influence of alcohol.
Police said auto driver Perumal, 42, of Nadukkallur near Suththamalli was taking schoolchildren to their schools on Friday morning. When the auto was going along the Gopalasamudram Road, an oncoming private engineering college bus hit the autorickshaw when the bus driver tried to overtake another vehicle.
As the auto overturned in the impact, Mr. Perumal and 3 students travelling in the auto sustained injuries. The public immediately rushed them to the hospital while bus driver Esakkiappan, 36, of VOC Nagar near Suththamalli got down from the bus and laid down on the platform in front of the vegetable market.
After the Suththamalli police arrived at the spot, they found that Esakkiappan was under the influence of alcohol and hence had caused the accident after losing control of the bus.
The police arrested Esakkiappan for driving the bus in an inebriated condition.
Published – February 20, 2026 07:53 pm IST
